Journal of Forensic Dental Sciences

Comparative Evaluation of the Relationship between the Root-Tips of Maxillary Posterior Teeth and Floor of Maxillary Sinus using Digital Orthopantomogram in Chhattisgarh Individuals with Different Cephalic Indices

Kanak Tripathi — 2023-05-30

Background and Aims: Cephalic index has significant importance in the field of forensic science and variation in the cephalic index affects the facial dimensions and growth of the maxillary sinus in an individual. Knowledge of the anatomical relationship between maxillary posterior teeth and the floor of the maxillary sinus is very important for preoperative treatment planning in dentistry. The aim of the study is a comparative evaluation of the relationship and the distances between maxillary posterior teeth root tips and the floor of the maxillary sinus in different cephalic index subjects using a digital orthopantomogram. Materials and Methods: 210 subjects were categorized as Brachycephalic, Mesocephalic and Dolichocephalic according to their cephalic index. Orthopantomograms of these subjects were taken for assessment of vertical relationships between the maxillary posterior teeth and the floor of the maxillary sinus followed by distance measurement. Recorded data were statistically analyzed. Results: Significant difference in vertical distance was observed in all three cephalic groups in the case of 1^st premolars, distobuccal roots of 1^st molars and mesiobuccal roots of 2^nd molars. Conclusion: The study concluded variation in the cephalic index affects the relationship and vertical distance between the maxillary sinus floor and the roots of maxillary posterior teeth.

Root Dentin Translucency based Dental Age Estimation in Adults: A Systematic Review

P. T. Abhirami — 2023-05-30

Background: In Forensic practice and research, the Gustafson technique is the most popular dental age estimation method that uses six variables, among which Root Dentin Translucency (RDT) is considered to be the best single parameter for dental age estimation as it is the least affected by environmental and pathological factors. Dental age estimation by RDT has been tested on different geographic groups in order to determine its applicability and it has been found that there was an under/overestimation of the age of the subjects in different populations. No systematic review of these studies has yet been published to check the reliability and accuracy of this novel method in estimating chronological age. Objective: To assess the accuracy and reliability of RDT-based dental age estimation in different academic and forensic scenarios by qualitatively summarising the results of RDT-based dental age estimation studies in diverse population samples. Evidence Review: Studies were searched in the Medline, Embase, Directory of open access journals, Cochrane library and Google Scholar databases up to December 2019 with previously defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The outcome of interest was the difference between chronological age and the age estimated from RDT. Results and Conclusion: A total of 1754 subjects from 16 published studies were included in the final review. Our findings proved that the RDT method tends to overestimate chronological age for both sexes in most of the study population. The overestimated dental age ranges from 2.24 to 15.1 years.

The Prevalence of a Forensic Index the Tubercule of Carabelli for a Moroccan Population

Abdallah Mouhibi — 2023-05-30

Objectives: The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence, degree of expression and symmetry of the tubercle of Carabelli in a sample of Dentistry students to highlight this sensitive area to dental caries. Materials and Methods: We conducted a descriptive transversal survey of students in the 4th year of the academic year 2015/2016 at the Faculty of Dental Medicine of Casablanca. The study is made on plaster models for students, by measuring the mesiodistal diameter of the TC with an electronic calliper. Results: Several results were obtained: 64.29% of the study population have CT, while it is absent in 35.71% of cases, 37.50% with a tubercle of Carabelli little developed, 26.71% with a well-developed Carabelli tubercle, 61.11% of cases exhibit TC bilaterally and 38.89% of cases present the TC unilaterally. The results are consistent with those obtained in other surveys conducted in other countries and discordance with others. Conclusion: The lack of standardization of the study’s methodology makes it difficult to compare the results of various studies, hence the need for similar studies on larger samples. It has some importance in the dental, forensic, and anthropological fields. In orthodontics, the cause of premature caries and periodontal diseases, also in extractions, the molar extraction instruments have no housing for this cusp and can therefore lead to fracture.

Morphometric Analysis of Mandible for Gender determination in adult patients: A Cone Beam Computed Tomography Study

Archana Bhatia — 2023-05-30

Context: Gender determination is an important component of personal identification. Aims: Assessment of gender using mandible with Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). Settings and Design: This cross-sectional prospective study was conducted on dental outpatients in the department of Oral Medicine and Radiology. Methods and Material: 148 dental outpatients were selected and subjected to CBCT. Mandibular landmarks such as gonial angle, alveolar ridge to mental foramen distance, mental foramen to the inferior border of mandible distance, mandibular canal to the most anterior tangent point of buccal and lingual mandibular plate distance, mandibular canal border to the lowest tangent point on the inferior border of the mandible, coronoid height, bigonial breadth, minimal ramus breadth and ramus length were assessed on CBCT scan. Statistical Analysis Used: Data was represented as mean and Standard Deviation (SD). Parameters were compared between males and females using Kruskal-Wallis and Student’s independent T-test. A value below 0.05 represented significant results. Results: All parameters except gonial were significantly higher in males as compared to females angle (P< 0.05). The distance from the lowest point of the mandibular canal to the most posterior tangent point of the Mandibular Lingual Plate (MCLM) and bigonial breadth was higher in males than females but the difference was non-significant (P>0.05). The accuracy of CBCT was found to be 89.7% in males and 88.5% in females. Conclusions: Gender determination by morphometric analysis of the mandible using cone beam computed tomography is an effective method and provides higher accuracy as compared to two-dimensional conventional radiographs.

Correlation and Estimation of Stature from Carrea’s Index: A Study Among Two Populations in India

Reddy Vandana — 2023-05-30

Correlation of Tooth Shade with Age and Gender: Promising Applications in Aesthetic and Forensic Dentistry

Shree Goyal — 2023-05-30

Volumetric Evaluation of Maxillary and Frontal Sinuses in 9–14 year old children — A Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Pilot Study

Ritesh Kalaskar — 2023-05-30

Context: Literature sums up numerous advantages of volumetric evaluation of maxillary and frontal sinuses in the field of pathology and forensic sciences. However, studies involving paediatric age groups are scarce. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the volumes of maxillary and frontal sinuses in children aged 9–14 years of age and establish a correlation, if any, between the volumes and the age and sex of the children. Settings and Design: A retrospective study. Materials and Methods: Volumetric measurements of the maxillary and frontal sinuses were conducted on CBCT scans of 30 children aged 9-14 years, divided into three groups, those aged 9–10 years in group A, 11-12 years in group B, and 13-14 years in group C. Statistical Analysis Used: One way ANOVA test to compare the sinus volumes within the groups and unpaired t-test to compare the difference in the volumes in males and females as well as between right and left maxillary sinuses were used. Results: The mean values of the volumes of the right and left maxillary, total maxillary, and frontal sinuses in Group A were 8.4940±1.1966 cm³, 8.3774±1.2047 cm³, 16.8714±2.1212 cm³, and 2.1903±0.8870 cm³; in Group B were 8.7553±0.9067 cm³, 8.3937±1.1461 cm³, 17.1490±1.5732 cm³, and 3.0469±1.5907 cm³; and in Group C were 11.9895±2.230 cm³, 12.6164±1.6797 cm³, 24.6059±4.38536 cm³, and 7.6546±1.7763 cm³, respectively. The difference in the values among all three age groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the values between males and females or between the right and left maxillary sinuses. Conclusion: The study provides volumetric data of maxillary and frontal sinuses in paediatric age groups and proposes a correlation of the volumes with the age of the children.

Comparison and Association of Dermatoglyphics and Dental Anomalies in Three Different Regional Populations of India: An Original Study

Spinder Kour — 2021-03-29

Aim: The purpose of our study was to investigate and find the association of dental anomalies with the dermatoglyphic pattern within three regional populations of India. Methods: The present study included 600 subjects. 200 from each population were selected randomly and examined for dental anomalies and their dermatoglyphic patterns were recorded. Statistical Analysis Used: The study was analyzed by a chi-square test. Results: One dental anomaly was consistently noted in all three populations. Out of 600 subjects, 40.8% had positional anomalies. Shoveling, congenitally missing teeth, and winging were seen significantly in North-Eastern (23.0%), Jammu & Kashmir (5%), and Western Uttar Pradesh (6%) population groups in order. The most common dermatoglyphic pattern seen in all three populations was an ulnar loop. Significant relation between shoveling and whorl pattern was seen in the North-Eastern population. The presence of rotation was significantly more among subjects with a whorl pattern. Conclusion: The study concluded that dermatoglyphics can be used as an indicator of few dental anomalies. It can help in identifying the gender, race of an unidentified person, and various diseases which are correlated with dental anomalies that can be detected earlier.

Attrition – A Criteria in Estimating the Age

A. Ravi Prakash — 2021-03-31

Context: With respect to the recognition of an individual in forensic circumstances age assessment is an essential aspect. Teeth are considered to be least destructible part of the body under most conditions occurring in the nature like mass disasters. As the age advances, there will be physiological wearing away of the tooth due to tooth - tooth contacts, as in case of mastication. By knowing the level of attrition, age of an individual can be estimated. Microscopic investigation may not be achievable in certain instances and assessment of age relies on the sole examination of tooth by attrition. Aims: The aim of the research was meant to evaluate the age of individuals using Average Stage of Attrition (ASA) and Gustafson’s method and comparing efficacy of both the methods. Methods and Material: The study sample constituted 60 participants. Dental caries, restored crowns and patients with bruxism were excluded. The patients examined were in the age group of 35-60 years. Scores were evaluated by using Gustafson’s method and Average stage of attrition method. Statistical Analysis used: Regression Analysis. Results: The average stages of attrition and Gustafson’s scoring criteria were evaluated by conferring with the graduation standards. The data was collected and regression analyses were carried out for both the methods. By regression analysis, four regression equations for each method were obtained. Evaluation of attrition level and its accuracy in estimating the age by ASA method is more reliable than Gustafson’s attrition scoring.

Gender Determination by Radiographic Evaluation of Condylar Length, Coronoid Height and Gonial Angle

Nisha Kumari — 2023-05-30

Introduction: Forensic dentistry plays an important role in the identification of the gender of an individual in situations like natural disasters (eg. earthquakes, floods, etc.) or man-made disasters (such as accidents and bombings). Among all the bones in the human body, the pelvis and the skull show the maximum sexual dimorphism. But in cases where an intact skull is not found, the mandible becomes our first choice for gender determination, as it is covered with dense, compact bone, which makes it very durable and well-preserved. Aims and Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of condylar height, coronoid height and gonial angle of the mandible for sex determination using orthopantomography and to compare and determine the most reliable parameter for gender determination. Materials and Method: This study was conducted using digital panoramic images of 25 patients of each gender. The images captured were viewed on AutoCAD 2014 software and were subjected to measurements of the condylar, coronoid heights and gonial angles both on the left and right side using AutoCAD 2014 imaging software. The data was entered into a Microsoft Excel sheet and statistical analysis was done. Results: The Student t-test showed significant (P < 0.05) differences and higher values for both condylar height and coronoid height on both the right and left sides of males as compared to females. However, the difference in the mean gonial angle on both the right and left sides did not differ (P > 0.05) between the two genders. All three variables were higher in males as compared to females. Conclusion: The parameters such as condylar height, coronoid height and gonial angle using orthopantomographs are reliable in gender determination and the condylar height of the left side is the best parameter in gender determination.